Bill Text: HI HR35 | 2019 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Recognizing And Honoring The First Responders Of The Waianae Coast For Their Efforts In Protecting Our Community During The Summer Of 2018 Brush Fires.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Passed) 2019-02-28 - Resolution adopted in final form. [HR35 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2019-HR35-Introduced.html

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	35
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

RECOGNIZING AND HONORING THE FIRST RESPONDERS OF THE WAI‘ANAE COAST FOR THEIR EFFORTS IN PROTECTING OUR COMMUNITY DURING THE SUMMER OF 2018 BRUSH FIRES.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, it is important to honor pivotal people and organizations based along the Wai‘anae Coast that play a key role in protecting our homes, community, and overall health; and

 

     WHEREAS, on the morning of August 4, 2018, wild brushfires burned on the Wai‘anae Coast leading to wildfires throughout Wai‘anae Valley and Mākaha Valley, with intense flames close enough to threaten homes, schools, farms, and businesses, at times getting as close as 10 to 15 feet; and

 

     WHEREAS, strong winds, dry brush, choking smoke, and sweltering heat from the sun contributed to fires at different locations ravaging nearly 9,000 acres of land; and

 

     WHEREAS, these difficult conditions for first responders required a number of organizations to work together, selflessly dedicated to ensuring the safety of the public in what has been speculated to be one of the worst summer brushfires in state history; and

 

     WHEREAS, the HONOLULU FIRE DEPARTMENT led the fight by dispatching over 100 firefighters, 27 engines, five aerials, six tankers, and one HAZMAT truck to combat fires at multiple sites across the Wai‘anae Coast, ensuring the safety of homes and businesses; and

 

     WHEREAS, FEDERAL FIRE HAWAII contributed to the firefighting efforts by dispatching an additional 16 units with 38 firefighters to battle the fire in Wai‘anae Valley, where the fire posed one of the largest threats to the community; and

     WHEREAS, DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES' DIVISION OF FORESTRY AND WILDLIFE provided two contracted helicopters and over 25 personnel to help suppress the wild brushfire before it reached valuable watersheds and forest reserves; and

 

     WHEREAS, the HAWAI‘I ARMY NATIONAL GUARD also contributed to the fight by providing two Blackhawk helicopters for additional support; and

 

     WHEREAS, HONOLULU POLICE DEPARTMENT'S dedicated officers established order admist the chaos created by the wildfire by ensuring the safety of the public through their assistance in evacuations, detours, and road closures; and

 

     WHEREAS, the WAI‘ANAE COAST DISASTER READINESS TEAM and their volunteers helped to establish vital lines of communication between government officials, first responders, and community organizations, helping to relay critical information and providing manpower to aid in the staffing of the emergency shelters for Wai‘anae residents; and

 

     WHEREAS, KA‘ALA FARMS, located in the heart of Wai‘anae Valley and despite being caught in the middle of the wild brushfire, did their part and more to safely guide their large group of guests to safety, while strategically protecting the cultural treasures of Ka‘ala; and

 

     WHEREAS, the frequency and severity of wildfires along the Wai‘anae Coast have increased over time and are projected to continue to increase; KA‘ALA FARMS has taken on the responsibility to partner with community stakeholders in order to implement the WAI‘ANAE KAI WILDFIRE PREVENTION AND MITIGATION PROJECT; and

 

     WHEREAS, the WAI‘ANAE KAI WILDFIRE PREVENTION AND MITIGATION PROJECT seeks to prevent ignition fires in Wai‘anae Valley by implementing best practices, increasing security, and improving the ability of firefighters to extinguish fires by increasing water availability for firefighting purposes; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirtieth Legislature of the State of Hawai‘i, Regular Session of 2019, that this body, on the 28^th day of February 2019, hereby recognizes and honors all of the first responders of the Wai‘anae Coast and extends to them its best wishes in all future endeavors.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

Wai‘anae Coast; Summer 2018 Brushfires; First Responders